Overheard: Alejandro Ingelmo Opens His First Boutique In SoHo

Sadly, summer’s winding down, but fashion-forward New Yorkers have something to look forward to at the end of the holiday weekend—Alejandro Ingelmo’s SoHo boutique opens today. We got an exclusive sneak peek of the 2008 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund finalist’s shop, tucked away on the lower level of a Wooster Street brownstone.

Despite being brand-new, Inglemo’s boutique is steeped in rich heritage. As a fourth-generation shoemaker, the designer is carrying on a family tradition started years ago by his great-grandfather in Cuba. This legacy has influenced both the interiors of his shop and the aesthetics of his designs. “I wanted the store to be reminiscent of my grandfather’s in the 1950s,” said the designer. Black-and-white photographs of his grandfather’s factory and boutique decorate the walls in a nostalgic nod to the past. Even his decision to have the shop on the ground floor is old-school. “I wanted to give it the feel of an old cobbler’s shop.”

Rows upon rows of slick black shoe boxes built into the walls are probably the most clever detailing linking the present to the past. “[When my grandfather was in business], shoe stores kept their stock in exposed shoe boxes on the walls,” explained Ingelmo. “I was able to replicate this through the shelving, and by lining the walls with these very ornate boxes.”

And, of course, there are the shoes. “I’m looking forward to having more editorial pieces at the shop,” said the designer, whose shoes were previously available only at select department stores. “Having my own store gives me the opportunity to let the customer see the breadth of my entire collection in one place.” In the coming months, Ingelmo will introduce a variety of new styles at the boutique, including lower heels, flat boots, and a line of women’s sneakers that match his already iconic men’s collection. These additions, along with classics like the famous Sophia pump are crafted from the finest materials sourced from Italy, and brought to life through daringly modern designs (with equally daring high heels), the shoes are the perfect balance of traditional and ultramodern.

Although Ingelmo will wait until October to host his opening party bash, the celebration kicks off next Friday with Fashion’s Night Out. The designer will play host that evening with special guest Ne-Yo providing the entertainment. Take advantage of the occasion and try to get your hands on a pair of his coveted creations before they—and the beautiful boxes they come in!—fly off the shelves.